Analgesic Stewardship: Non-Opioids and Adjunct Therapies

Cover image for: Analgesic Stewardship: Non-Opioids and Adjunct Therapies
CPDTime.
1h 25m
Updated 30 Jan 2025 Certificate ANCC Accredited

Effective pain management can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Are you confident in your ability to manage pain safely and effectively without relying solely on opioids?

This Ausmed Course equips healthcare professionals with evidence-based strategies based on analgesic stewardship to safely integrate non-opioid analgesics into pain management, helping to improve patient safety and outcomes through informed, effective care.

Content

8 Video Units • 16 Questions
Pre-reflection
1 Question
Introduction
5m
Pretest
3 Questions
Introduction to Pain Pharmacology
2 Questions
12m
Paracetamol, NSAIDs and Corticosteroids
3 Questions
17m
Topical Analgesics
2 Questions
6m
Adjunct Therapies: Antidepressants and Antiepileptics
2 Questions
9m
Adjunct Therapies: Muscles Relaxants and Emerging Therapies
1 Question
6m
Integrating Non-Opioid Approaches in Pain Management
1 Question
12m
Conclusion
2m
Post-reflection
1 Question

What you'll learn:

1

Identify the basic principles of pain pharmacology and current Australian pain management guidelines.

2

Identify the mechanisms of action, dosing guidelines and safety concerns of paracetamol, NSAIDs and corticosteroids.

3

Evaluate the efficacy, safety and appropriate use of various topical analgesic preparations.

4

Describe the pharmacological properties and clinical applications of antidepressants and antiepileptics in pain management.

5

Evaluate the use of muscle relaxants in pain management and explore emerging non-opioid therapies.

6

Develop comprehensive pain management strategies utilising non-opioid and adjunct therapies.

Who it's for:

Pharmacists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics and other healthcare professionals across all settings who seek to deepen their knowledge of pain management, specifically non-opioid pharmacology and adjunct therapies.

Why it's needed:

In 2022, chronic pain affected 3.4 million Australians, with 68% of those affected being of working age. It contributes to 40% of early retirements and increases the risk of suicidal behaviour 2 to 3 times. The national financial burden of pain was $73.2 billion in 2018 and is projected to rise to $215.6 billion by 2050.

Despite the prevalence and impact of pain, many healthcare practitioners have a poor understanding of pain mechanisms and contemporary management options. This knowledge gap can lead to suboptimal pain control and increased patient suffering. Clinicians play crucial roles in pain management across various healthcare settings. However, many lack specific training in advanced pharmacological strategies for pain control, including the use of non-opioid and adjunct therapy alternatives.

This education will equip learners with up-to-date knowledge on pain pharmacology, non-opioid and adjunct therapy options, and safe prescribing practices essential for improving patient outcomes and the overall quality of care provided to individuals experiencing pain. To enhance learner understanding of how non-opioid analgesics and adjunctive therapies should be safely utilised for pharmacology in pain management according to effective analgesic stewardship programs.

Purpose:

To enhance learner understanding of how non-opioid analgesics and adjunctive therapies should be safely utilised for pharmacology in pain management according to effective analgesic stewardship programs.

Topics

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Last updated30 Jan 2025

Published30 Jan 2025

Due for review30 Jan 2026
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ANCC Accredited
This course has been published with the American Nurses Credentialing Center Accreditation.
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